Is new zealand a country or continent

New Zealand is a country, not a continent. It is a sovereign nation located in the southern hemisphere, consisting of two main islands: the North Island and the South Island. It is one of the 196 countries recognized by the United Nations.

However, New Zealand is often referred to as a part of the continent of Oceania, which is a geographic region that includes many Pacific island nations, as well as Australia, Papua New Guinea, and other nearby islands. Oceania is not a formally defined continent, but rather a geographic region that is often used to group together countries that are located in the Pacific Ocean.

It's worth noting that the concept of a continent is somewhat arbitrary and can be defined in different ways. Some geographers and scientists define a continent as a large, continuous area of land that is separated from other areas by oceans, while others define it as a region that is characterized by a particular set of geological or climatic features.

In any case, New Zealand is a country that is located in the Oceania region, but it is not a continent in its own right.